Helicopter



June 17, 1947.

R. C. SIGHTS H ELI GOPTER Filed Aug. 16, 1943 4 `Sheets-Sheet 1 June 17, 1947.

R. C. SIGHTS HELICOPTER n Filed Aug. 16. 1943 4 sheets-sheet 2 l Inventor June 17,' 1947.` R, C, S1GHT5 2,422,441

HELICOPTER l Filed Aug. 1e, 1943 4 sheets-sheet 5 77 Inventor R. C. SIGHTS June 17, 1947.

HELICOPTER 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Aug. 16, 1945 Haber? 6. Sybs By @IW aad 4 Inventor y a Attorneys I Patented June 17, 1947 UNITED STATES YPATENT OFFICE HELICOPTER Robert C. Sights, Kennewick, Wash.

Application August 16, 1943, Serial No. 498,811

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in heavier-than-air flying machines of the helicopter type comprising a pair of oppositely turning upper and lower rotors.

An important object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a flying machine of the aforementioned character comprising novel means for tilting the rotors in unison in a vertical plane for causing the machine to hover or move forwardly' or rearwardly at various speeds.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a helicopter of the characterdescribed which embodies a unique arrangement for feathering the blades of the rotors at any desired point in the travel thereof for tiltingv the machine and for causing same to move in any direction when in night.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a helicopter wherein the pitch of the blades of either rotor may be increased while the pitch of the blades of the other rotor is decreased and vice versa for varying the relative torque, whereby the machine may readily be turned in any direction.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a helicopter of the character set forth in which all of the blades may be simultaneously feathered for varying the lift of the rotors.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a helicopter which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eiiicient and reliable in operation, compact, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a helicopter constructed in accordance with the present invention. Y

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation of the rotorsupporting and actuating mechanism, showing the drive shaft and the blade shafts in cross-section.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section through the mechanism shown in Figure 2.

Figure'l is a View in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the adjusting means for the lower blades.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the foot bar for varying the torque of the rotors relative to each other.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a frame structure I which is provided with suitable landing wheels 2'. An engine 3 is mounted on the rear portion of the frame structure I. Mounted on the forward portion of the frame structure I is a pilots seat 4.

Journaled for rotation between transversely aligned bearings 5 on the upper portion of the frame structure I is a gear case 6. An angular beam 1 is fixed on the gear case 6 and extends downwardly and then forwardly therefrom adjacent the seat 4.

Fixed on the gear case and rising therefrom is a tubular housing 8 which communicates with said gear case. Tubular inner and outer shafts 9 and I0, respectively, are rotatably mounted in the housing 8. The shafts 9 and I0 extend downwardly into the case 6 and have fixed thereon opposed, beveled gears I I. A beveled pinion gear I2 on a shaft I3 drives the gears II in opposite directions. The shaft I3 is driven from the engine by a chain and sprocket connection I4.

The inner shaft 9 extends above the outer shaft I0 and has fixed on its upper portion a rotor I5 comprising feathering blades I6. The outer shaft I@ extends above the tubular housing 8 and has fixed on its upper portion a rotor Il comprising feathering blades i8. Retaining nuts I9 are provided on the upper end portions of the shafts 9 and I!) for the rotors I5 and Il.

Vertical supports 2B are mounted on the gear case 5 forwardly thereof Upper and lower frames 2I and 22, respectively, are mounted for vertical swinging and rocking movement between the upper and lower end portions of the supports 20. The frame 2| encircles the tubular housing 3.

As illustrated to advantage in Figure 5 of the drawings, a gimbal ring 23 is pivotably mounted in the upper frame 2|. Rotatably mounted in the gimbal ring 23 is an inner ring 2li. Links 25 connect the ring 24 to arms 25 on the inner portions of the lower blades I8 for ieathering said lower blades.

A ginrbal ring 21 is journaled in the lower frame 22. An inner ring 28 is rotatably mounted in the gimbal ring 21. Extending through the tubular inner shaft 9 is a vertically slidable rod 29 which projects `downwardly into the ring 28. A sleeve 3o is slidable on the rod 29. Arms 3| connect the members 29 and 30 to the ring 28 for vertical adjustment thereby. As best seen in Figure 4 of the drawing, Iball and socket joints 32 connect the arms 3| to the ring 28. A vertical slot 33 in the lower portion of the sleeve 39 accommodates the arm 3| which projects from the rod 29. Suitable bearings 34 are provided for the members 9, IIJ, 39, II, et cetera. Arms 35 connect the upper rotor blades I6 to the upper portions of the members 29 and 38 for feathering thereby. A vertical slot 36 in the upper portion of the sleeve 30 accommodates the arm 35 which projects from the rod 29,

A hand lever 37 is mounted on the forward `portion of the frame structure I adjacent the seat 4. A rod 38 operatively connects the lever 37 to the beam 7 for tilting the rotors I5 and I7 forwardly or rearwardly.

Rotata'bly mounted on the forwardly,project- 'V ing portion 39 of the beam 1 is a longitudinal shaft 401. A hand lever 4I is mounted for forward andy rearward swinging movement only on the forward end portion of the shaft d. A rod s2 connects the hand lever 3| to one end portion of a Ibell crank lever 43 on the beam 7. A rod M connects the other end portion of the bell crank lever d3 to arms d5 which. are fixed on the gimbal rings 23 and 2l.

Fixed on the rearend portion of the shaft lil isan arm 46. A rod 37 operatively connects the arm B6 to arms i8 which project laterally from the frames 2| and 22 at the pivoted forward ends thereof.

A hand lever IIS is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the portion 390i the angular beam 'I'. VPivotal'ly mounted at an intermediate point on the lower portion of the lever i9 is a foot bar B. Rods 5I connect the opposite endsof the foot bar 59 to one end portion of Ibell crank levers 52 which aremounted on the beam l. Rods 53 connect the other end portions of thebell crank levers 52 to the free rear ends of the frames 2| and 22.

It is thought that the operation of the machine will be 'readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, theY operator, sitting onrthe seat 4, actuates `the lever 37 for tilting the upper and lower rotors I5 and I7, respectively, forwardly or rearwardly for causing the machine to hover, or move forwardly or rearwardly and to control the speed thereof. Longitudinal swinging movement of the lever 4I rocks the gimbal rings 23 and 27 for feathering the blades at the front and rear, while lateral swinging movement of said lever 4I rocks the frames 2| and 22 laterally for feathering the blades I5 and I8 at the sides of the machine. Feathering of the blades I6 and I8, at any desired point in their travel may be had by a compound movement of the level 4I for simultaneously rocking the frames 2| and 22 and the gimbal rings 23 and 27 therein. Thus, the machine may be caused to move in any direction. Operation of the lever 49 swings the frames 2| and 22 upwardly or downwardly in unison for changing the pitch of the blades I6 and I8 for varying the lift of the rotors I5 and I7. Operation of the foot bar 50 on the lever 49 swings the frames 2| and 22 in opposite directions for increasing the pitch of the blades of one of the rotors while decreasing the pitch of the blades of the other of said rotors. In this manner the relative torque is varied so that the machine may be readily turned in any direction. A suitable cabin or fuselage may be provided on the frame structure I.

It is believed that the many advantages of a helicopter constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the machine is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a helicopter, upper and lower rotors having feathering blades, means for supporting and driving said rotors in opposite directions including gearshaving a gear case, vertically swingable and rockable frames mounted on and respectively arranged above and below the gear case, gimbal ringspivotally mounted in the frames, externally groovedlinner rings rotatable within thegimbal rings, said gimbal rings being fitted in the external groovesfof the inner rings, operative connections between the inner rings and the blades of the respectiverotors, and meansto selectively rock or swing orrock and swing said frames to feather the blades at the front and'rear or at the sides of the machine or to feather said blades at any` desired point in their travel, and means to selectively swing said frames in the samefdirection to simultaneously change the pitch 4of the blades and vary theV lift of the rotors or to Vswing the frames inopposite directions toinc-reasel the pitch of the' blades of either rotor and simultaneously decrease the pitchof the blades of the other rotor.

2. A helicopter' comprising a frame provided at the bottom 'with landing wheels, an engine mounted on the rear portion ofthe frame, a pilot seat mounted Yon the forward portion of the frame, a gear case mounted for rocking movement about a transverse horizontalaxison the upper portion oi the frame and in a vertical plane between the engine and the pilot seat, an angular beam fixed toy the gear case and including a portion depending between theengineV and' the pilot seat Vanda portion extending forwardly beneath and y.beyond said pilot set,- a tubular housing fixed on. and vrising from said. gear case,.concentric shafts rotatably mounted. in saidV housing, gearing in said gearcase for driving said shafts in opposite Vdirectionsand,including a drive shaft, a Y'driving connection. between said engine and said drive.'shaft, upper and lowerrotors secured on the upper ends of said concentric shafts, anda hand-lever mountedV on .the frame beside the pilot seat and connected tothe beam for rocking the gear case.Y

' Y ROBERTO. SIGHTS."

REFERENCES orrnn The following references are of record Vin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS` Number Y Date Name 1,189,689 Gardner July 4, 1916 1,672,276 Nordberg June 5, 1928 1,272,846 Perry` r July 16, 1918 1,919,089 Breguet et-al July 18, 1933 2,256,918l Youngp sepaza 1941 

